O'Brien makes hurdles bow Joseph O'Brien will miss the opening day of the Irish Flat season and is booked to ride over hurdles at Limerick instead. The 21-year-old has twice been crowned champion jockey on the level but he will bypass the first card of the new campaign in favour of riding Egyptian Warrior in the Family Fun Day Rated Novice Hurdle. O'Brien's mount is trained by his father Aidan for owner JP McManus and has won two of his four outings over obstacles. O'Brien is due to be at the Curragh after racing to ride some of his father's illustrious Flat string in now-traditional post-race gallops, and it is understood he will continue to ride on the Flat this season. "Joseph told me earlier in the week he was going to ride at the weekend so we're looking forward to it," said Frank Berry, McManus's racing manager. "He's had a lot of experience at eventing and everything like that. It will come naturally to him and we wish him the best of luck. "He has loads of experience and has been riding over jumps since he was a child. It will come easy to him."
